Hey, future carpenters! If you’re looking to kickstart a career in carpentry, getting licensed is a big first step to nailing down jobs and building your rep.
But here’s the deal: every state—and sometimes even cities or counties—has its own rules and agencies for contractor licensing.
It can feel like a maze, but don’t sweat it—we’ve got your back. This guide breaks down the key contractor licensing agencies across the U.S., so you can figure out what you need to get legit and start swinging that hammer for real.
Whether you’re dreaming of framing houses or crafting custom furniture, knowing where to get licensed is your ticket to turning skills into cash.
What Is a Contractor License?
A contractor license is an official certification issued by a state, county, or city that legally allows a person or business to perform construction-related work. Think of it like a professional driver’s license—but for building, remodeling, or managing construction projects.
Contractor licenses are designed to ensure that those doing construction work have the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to do the job safely and properly. These licenses also help protect homeowners and property owners by holding contractors accountable to certain legal and quality standards.
In most cases, a contractor license is required for jobs that exceed a specific dollar amount, involve structural changes, or require permits. Without a valid license, contractors may face fines, legal trouble, or be disqualified from bidding on public or private projects.
Contractor licenses often fall into different categories, such as:
- General Contractor – Oversees entire projects and manages subcontractors.
- Specialty Contractor – Focuses on one trade like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing.
- Residential vs. Commercial Contractor – Depending on the type of property being worked on.
Each license type may require its own set of qualifications, tests, insurance, and fees, depending on the local regulations. If you’re planning to work as a contractor—whether for yourself or someone else—getting licensed is one of the most important steps you can take.
Below is a detailed list of contractor licensing agencies for each state, focusing on state-level bodies, with official websites included for each agency.
This information is current as of April 10, 2025, and is designed to provide a comprehensive resource to understand contractor licensing requirements across the United States. For local requirements, it is recommended to visit city or county government websites.
- Alabama
- Agency: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (LBGC), responsible for projects exceeding $50,000.
- Website: https://genconbd.alabama.gov/
- Additional: Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) for residential builders.
- Website: https://hblb.alabama.gov/
- Alaska
- Agency: Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
- Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl
- Notes: Anchorage requires municipal registration.
- Arizona
- Agency: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).
- Website: https://roc.az.gov/
- Notes: Covers residential and commercial projects, with stringent regulations.
- Arkansas
- Agency: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB), for projects over $50,000 and new homes.
- Website: https://www.arkansas.gov/clb
- Application: https://www.arkansas.gov/clb/apply.html
- California
- Agency: Contractors State License Board (CSLB), mandatory for projects over $500.
- Website: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/
- Notes: Local permits required, e.g., Los Angeles.
- Colorado
- Agency: No state agency for general contractors; specialty trades via Division of Professions and Occupations.
- Website: https://dpo.colorado.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight, e.g., Denver’s Community Planning.
- Connecticut
- Agency: Department of Consumer Protection, for home improvement contractors.
- Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DCP
- Notes: General contractors may not require a state license.
- Delaware
- Agency: Division of Revenue (business), no specific contractor board.
- Website: https://revenue.delaware.gov/
- Additional: One Stop for contractors: https://onestop.delaware.gov/
- Notes: Local rules apply.
- Florida
- Agency: Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).
- Website: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/
- Notes: Offers certified (statewide) and registered (local) licenses.
- Georgia
- Agency: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board.
- Website: https://sos.ga.gov/licensing-division
- Notes: For residential and large commercial projects.
- Hawaii
- Agency: Professional and Vocational Licensing Board (PVL).
- Website: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/
- Notes: State license required; counties manage permits.
- Idaho
- Agency: Idaho Contractors Board.
- Website: https://dopl.idaho.gov/
- Notes: State registration mandatory; local rules may apply.
- Illinois
- Agency: No state agency for general contractors; plumbing via Department of Public Health.
- Website: https://dph.illinois.gov/
- Notes: Local licensing, e.g., Chicago.
- Indiana
- Agency: Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) for plumbing.
- Website: https://www.in.gov/pla/
- Notes: General contractors subject to local rules, e.g., Indianapolis.
- Iowa
- Agency: Division of Labor, registration for projects over $2,000 annually.
- Website: https://www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov/
- Notes: Registration, not licensing; minimal local requirements.
- Kansas
- Agency: No state agency, local only.
- Website: None at state level.
- Notes: Counties set rules, e.g., Sedgwick County: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/building-construction/
- Kentucky
- Agency: Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, for trades only.
- Website: https://dhbc.ky.gov/
- Notes: General contractors regulated locally.
- Louisiana
- Agency: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).
- Website: https://lslbc.louisiana.gov/
- Notes: Required for projects over $50,000; local permits needed.
- Maine
- Agency: No state agency for general contractors; trades via Department of Regulatory Licensing.
- Website: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/
- Notes: Local jurisdictions oversee licensing.
- Maryland
- Agency: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).
- Website: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/
- Notes: Home improvement licensing; local rules may apply.
- Massachusetts
- Agency: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, for home improvement.
- Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-consumer-affairs-and-business-regulation
- Notes: No state licensing for general contractors; local rules apply.
- Michigan
- Agency: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
- Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara
- Notes: State license for residential builders and maintenance.
- Minnesota
- Agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
- Website: https://www.dli.mn.gov/
- Notes: Licenses residential contractors; local permits common.
- Mississippi
- Agency: Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
- Website: https://www.msboc.us/
- Notes: Required for projects over $50,000; minimal local rules.
- Missouri
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Division of Professional Registration.
- Website: https://pr.mo.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight, e.g., Kansas City.
- Montana
- Agency: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, registration.
- Website: https://dli.mt.gov/
- Notes: Registration required; local rules vary.
- Nebraska
- Agency: Nebraska Department of Labor, registration.
- Website: https://dol.nebraska.gov/
- Notes: Registration for contractors with employees; local rules may apply.
- Nevada
- Agency: Nevada State Contractors Board.
- Website: https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/
- Notes: Strict state licensing; local permits required.
- New Hampshire
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Office of Professional Licensure.
- Website: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/
- Notes: Local or trade-specific licensing.
- New Jersey
- Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, home improvement.
- Website: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
- Notes: Registration for home improvement; local rules for others.
- New Mexico
- Agency: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing, Construction Industries Division.
- Website: https://www.rld.nm.gov/
- Notes: State license required for all contractors.
- New York
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Department of State.
- Website: https://dos.ny.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight, e.g., strict rules in NYC.
- North Carolina
- Agency: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
- Website: https://nclbgc.org/
- Notes: Required for projects over $30,000.
- North Dakota
- Agency: North Dakota Secretary of State, registration.
- Website: https://sos.nd.gov/
- Notes: Registration required; local rules apply.
- Ohio
- Agency: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, trades only.
- Website: https://www.com.ohio.gov/dico/
- Notes: General contractors regulated locally; rules vary.
- Oklahoma
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Construction Industries Board.
- Website: https://www.ok.gov/cib/
- Notes: Local oversight, except for trades.
- Oregon
- Agency: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
- Website: https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/
- Notes: Mandatory licensing for all contractors.
- Pennsylvania
- Agency: Attorney General’s Office, home improvement registration.
- Website: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/
- Notes: No state licensing for general contractors; local rules vary.
- Rhode Island
- Agency: Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board.
- Website: https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/contractors-registration-licensing-board/
- Notes: Registration required; local permits common.
- South Carolina
- Agency: South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board.
- Website: https://llr.sc.gov/clb/
- Notes: Required for projects over $5,000.
- South Dakota
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Department of Labor.
- Website: https://dlr.sd.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight only.
- Tennessee
- Agency: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
- Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.html
- Notes: Required for projects over $25,000.
- Texas
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Department of Licensing and Regulation.
- Website: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight, varies widely.
- Utah
- Agency: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
- Website: https://dopl.utah.gov/
- Notes: State license required for all contractors.
- Vermont
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Secretary of State.
- Website: https://sos.vermont.gov/
- Notes: Local or trade-specific licensing.
- Virginia
- Agency: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
- Website: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/
- Notes: Licensing based on project value.
- Washington
- Agency: Washington Department of Labor & Industries.
- Website: https://www.lni.wa.gov/
- Notes: Registration mandatory; local rules may apply.
- West Virginia
- Agency: West Virginia Division of Labor, Contractor Licensing Board.
- Website: https://labor.wv.gov/
- Notes: Required for projects over $2,500.
- Wisconsin
- Agency: Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), dwelling contractors.
- Website: https://dsps.wi.gov/
- Notes: State licensing for residential; local rules for others.
- Wyoming
- Agency: No state agency; trades via Secretary of State.
- Website: https://sos.wyo.gov/
- Notes: Local oversight, e.g., Cheyenne.
The Bottom Line
Navigating contractor licensing requirements can feel overwhelming, especially with rules varying from state to state—and sometimes even city to city. Whether you’re starting your own contracting business or expanding into new territories, knowing which agency to contact is critical to staying compliant and operating legally.
This guide provides a starting point to help you quickly find the licensing authority in your state and understand the steps involved. Always verify details directly with the appropriate agency, as regulations and processes can change over time.
Getting properly licensed not only protects your business—it also builds trust with clients, improves job opportunities, and sets you up for long-term success in the construction industry.
Additional Resources
- National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA): Provides links to state agencies (www.nascla.org).
- Local Government Websites: Search “[city/county name] contractor licensing” online.
- Trade-Specific Boards: Electricians, plumbers, etc., often have separate state-level oversight.
Key Citations
- Licensing Information National Association State Contractors Licensing Agencies
- 2025 Guide General Contractor License Requirements Every State NEXT
- 2025 General Contractor Licensing Requirements by State Houzz Pro
- CSLB-Home California Contractor License Board
- Understanding California’s 2025 Contractor Licensing Laws Make Me A Contractor Blog
- National Association State Contractors Licensing Agencies
- 2025 General Contractor License Requirements Insureon
- Recent General Contractor State Reciprocity Changes Contractor Training Center
- The Ultimate Guide Contractor License Requirements Every State Procore
- General contractor business license compliance requirements by state Smart chart Wolters Kluwer
- Texas Contractor Licensing Rules Requirements Procore
- 2025 Texas General Contractor License Requirements Houzz Pro
- Apply for a New License Texas Department Licensing Regulation
- How to Get a General Contractor License in Texas Surety Bonds Blog
- Texas Contractor License Certification 2025 Contractor Guide
- Understanding General Contractor Licensing Requirements in Texas Hotchkiss Insurance
- How to Get Your Contractor’s License in Texas 2025 East Texas License
- Texas Contractor License StateRequirement
- General Contractor License Texas Contractors Liability
